Pear tree, &#39;Lowry Red&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of pear tree ‘Pyrus communis L’ and which is denominated varietally as ‘LOWRY RED’ and which produces an attractively colored red pear which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately after 18 September under the ecological conditions prevailing near Phoenix, Oreg.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of pear tree ‘Pyrus communis L’ and which has been denominated varietally as “LOWRY RED.”

ORIGIN

The present variety of pear tree resulted from a hybrid cross which was performed by the invention David B. Lowry in April 1985 of a Forelle pear tree (unpatented) with that of a red Bartlett pear tree (also unpatented). The controlled hybrid cross which was conducted in 1985 produced an original seedling which first produced fruit that was evaluated during the 1997 growing season. The new variety displayed promising characteristics and was then selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of pear tree was accomplished by grafting the new variety into 10 test trees during February, 2000. These test trees were originally grafted onto pear seedling rootstock. The grafted trees produced a few fruit in September, 2002, and subsequently produced normal crop loads in years 2003 and 2004, respectively. Subsequent evaluations of the characteristics of these asexual reproduced trees appeared to run true to the original tree. In this regard, all characteristics of the original seedling, and its fruit, were established and appeared to be transmitted through the succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The ‘Lowry Red’ is a new and distinct variety of pear tree which produces fruit having a large size and which is highly colored, and which further matures during middle to late September. The fruit produced by this pear tree has a good flavor, and a high degree of uniformity throughout the tree. In relative comparison to the parents, the fruit of the Lowry Red is mature for harvesting and shipment about one month later than the common commercial Bartlett pear varieties, and its red sports such as Red Bartlett (all unpatented); and about one week earlier than the pear tree variety Forelle (also unpatented) when grown under similar conditions and at the same geographical location. In relative comparison to the Bartlett pear tree, the new variety produces fruit which are equal to or larger than the fruit of the Bartlett pear tree (unpatented) when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Phoenix, Oreg. Further, the fruit of the present variety is substantially larger than the fruit produced by the Forelle pear tree. Additionally, the new variety has a red skin color which is more intense than that produced by the Red Bartlett pear tree or the Forelle pear tree. Still further, the present variety produces fruit having a uniform size and shape which is generally considered more uniform than that of either parent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing which is provided is a color photograph of the new present variety of pear tree. The present photograph depicts three mature fruit, each of which has been dissected substantially along the longitudinal plane, and which reveals the flesh and the skin characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit as shown in the photograph is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves and several seeds. The colors in this photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible on a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color reference should be made to the color plates as provided by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, and the descriptions as provided for hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of pear tree, the following has been observed during the 2005 growing season at orchards which are located near Phoenix, Oreg. All major color code designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart, 3rd Edition provided by The Royal Horticulture Society of Great Britain. Common color names are used occasionally.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally — Medium as compared to other common pear             varieties.         -   Vigor.—Average in relative comparison to the Bartlett pear             tree (unpatented). The present variety appears to be not as             vigorous as the Bartlett pear tree. The new variety is hardy             when grown under the climatic conditions prevailing in the             Medford, Oreg. pear growing district of southern Oreg.         -   Form.—Generally — Considered upright to upright-spreading.             Trees of the present variety range in size from about 4.6             meters to about 5.3 meters in height and from about 1.5             meters to about 1.7 meters in width.         -   Current season growth.—Length — In vigorous areas of the             tree, this can range from about 30.5 cm. to as much as 121.9             cm.         -   Orchard spacing.—Currently, the trees of the present variety             are spaced at distances of about 1.2 meters in rows. The             rows are positioned approximately 17 feet apart. The present             tree has been pruned annually into a central leader system             where a single trunk is maintained in an upright, vertical             position with smaller spaced secondary limbs arise from             around the central leader.         -   Regularity of bearing.—The present variety appears to be a             regular and productive bearer of attractively colored fruit. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Considered normal for the species.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 10 cm. to about 11.5 cm. when             measured at the point of grafting which is approximately             30 cm. above ground level.         -   Bark surface.—Generally — Quite variable, being slightly             furrowed with both smooth, netted and roughly striated             areas.         -   Surface color.—Smooth surfaces have a light grey color (Fan             4,sheet 201-D). Roughened surfaces have a dark grey color             (Fan 4, sheet 201-A).         -   Bark lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous.         -   Bark lenticels.—Form — Considered flattened and oval and             further having a roughened or corky appearing surface.         -   Bark lenticels.—Size — Variable from about 1 mm. to as large             as 9 mm. in width.         -   Bark lenticels.—Height — About 1 mm. to about 2 mm.         -   Bark lenticel.—Color — Considered variable. Calloused bark             lenticel surfaces have a brown color (Fan 4, sheet 174-B).             Bark lenticels without much callousing have a dark grey             color (Fan 4, sheet 201-A). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Generally considered normal in size and diameter for             the species.         -   Spreading branches.—Size — These branches which arise from             the central tree axis have a size of about 3 cm. to about             8 cm. in diameter at their base. Smaller spreading branches             range from about 1.3 mm. to about 2 mm. in diameter at their             bases.         -   Spreading branches.—Surface texture — Typically considered             moderately smooth but with some slight netting.         -   Branch surface Color.—Typically grey, (Fan 4, Sheet 201-D).         -   Branch lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and having a flattened             oval form.         -   Branch lenticels.—Size — About 1 mm. to about 5 mm. in             width.         -   Branch lenticels.—Height — About 1 mm. to about 1.5 mm.         -   Lateral branches.—Size — Smaller lateral branches are often             present and arise from the larger spreader branches. These             lateral branches can range in size from about 0.7 cm. to             about 1.1 cm. in diameter when measured at their base.         -   2 Year old and older lateral shoot Surfaces.—Generally             speaking, they are considered relatively smooth and             glabrous. Although a slight amount of netting can also be             present.         -   Internodes.—Length — These shoots can range from about             11 mm. to about 31 mm. between the nodes.         -   Lateral branches.—Color — Typically grey (Fan 4, sheet             201-C).         -   Spurs.—Length — Those spurs occurring on older wood have a             length of about 10 mm. to as much as 50 mm. in length, and             from about 3 mm. to about 6 mm. in thickness at their bases.         -   Spurs.—Internode Length — Variable from about 4 mm. to about             10 mm. between nodes.         -   Spur color.—Grey, (Fan 4, sheet 201-C).         -   Mature current season shoots.—Surface Texture — Smooth and             essentially glabrous. Occasionally, a small amount of fine,             scattered pubescence can also be present.         -   Mature current season shoots.—Color — Brown (Fan 4, sheet             177-A).         -   Mature current season internode lengths.—Variable from about             20 mm. to about 36 mm.         -   Mature current season shoots.—Lenticels — Considered             numerous, prominent and slightly raised with some surface             callousing present.         -   Mature current season shoots.—Lenticel Color — Brown (Fan 4,             sheet 166-D).         -   Immature current season shoots.—Surface Texture — Relatively             smooth, but with fine scattered pubescence occasionally             present.         -   Immature Current season shoots.—Color — Purple-Brown (Fan 4,             sheet 183-A).         -   Immature current season shoots.—Internode Length — About             20 mm. to about 36 mm.         -   Immature current season shoots.—Lenticels — Generally             speaking, numerous small, globose to oval lenticels are             present. These lenticels range in size from about 0.5 mm. to             about 1 mm. in diameter.         -   Immature current season shoots.—Lenticel color — Brown (Fan             4, sheet 165-C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered average for the species. Measurements of             the present leaves have been taken from those leaves which             have been growing at mid-shoot on the more vigorous,             upright, current season shoots.         -   Leaf length.—About 9.7 cm. to about 12.7 cm. including the             petiole.         -   Leaf width.—About 4.4 cm. to about 6.3 cm.         -   Leaf thickness.—Considered normal for the species.         -   Surface texture.—Both the upper and lower leaf surfaces of             the present variety are considered glabrous.         -   Mid vein.—Upper leaf surface texture — Considered glabrous.         -   Mid vein.—Lower leaf surface texture — A small amount of             pubescence can be present at the margin of the lower leaf             mid-vein where it attaches to the leaf blade.         -   Leaf glands.—No leaf glands appear to be present.         -   Leaf form.—Generally — Considered ovate.         -   Leaf apex.—Shape — Acute.         -   Leaf base.—Shape — Rounded. The leaves are usually             substantially folded upward from the region of the mid-rib.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Surface — Green (Fan 3, sheet 137-C), and             moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Upper vein surface — Yellow-Green (Fan 3, sheet             145-B).         -   Color.—Lower leaf surface — Light green (Fan 3, sheet             138-C), and dull.         -   Color.—Lower vein surface — Yellow-Green (Fan 3, sheet             145-B).         -   Leaf margins.—Form — Variable, but most frequently             considered serrate. The serrations are fine. The leaf             margins are occasionally slightly undulate.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size — Considered normal for the species.         -   Petioles.—Length — About 29 mm. to about 42 mm.         -   Petioles.—Thickness — About 1.0 mm. to about 1.5 mm. when             measured at mid-petiole. The respective petioles widen             somewhat at the petiolar base.         -   Petioles.—Color — Yellow-Green (Fan 3, sheet 145-B). A             greenish color may appear on ridges subtending the petiole             groove (Fan 3, sheet 144-C).         -   Petioles.—Surface Texture — Substantially glabrous, although             a small amount of pubescence can sometimes be found near the             juncture of the petiole with the lower leaf margin, and             along the ridges of the petiole groove.         -   Leaf stipules.—Present, although they may be occasionally be             absent, and these occur at low frequency late in the growing             season.         -   Stipules.—Position — When present, they arise from the             petiole at or near the petiole base.         -   Leaf stipules.—Length — About 9 mm. to about 16 mm.         -   Leaf stipules.—Width — About 1 mm. to about 2 mm. in width.         -   Leaf stipules.—Form — Considered linear lanceolate and often             cupped or rolled inward.         -   Leaf stipules.—Color — Variable, but most frequently it is a             light green (Fan 3, sheet 138-C).         -   Leaf stipules.—Marginal form — Serrate with widely spaced             serrations. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety is described at             full commercial maturity, and in a firm, ripe condition.         -   Date of harvesting.—18 September through 30 September under             the ecological conditions prevailing in Phoenix, Oreg. The             present variety holds well on the tree, and could             occasionally be harvested through the first week of October,             if necessary.         -   Fruit size.—Considered large for the variety.         -   Transverse diameter.—Approximately 70 mm. to about 91 mm.         -   Axial diameter.—About 91 mm. to about 115 mm.         -   Fruit form.—Pyriform in its lateral aspect. In its             cross-sectional aspect, the fruit is somewhat variable, and             most frequently globose with a moderate amount of             compression. The fruit is very uniform in appearance on the             tree.         -   Fruit stem.—As a general matter, the stem varies from             average to slightly slender.         -   Fruit stem.—Length — About 20 mm. to about 27 mm.         -   Fruit stem.—Thickness — About 2.5 mm. to about 3.5 mm. when             measured at mid-stem. The stem is slightly thicker at both             the basal and distal ends and is often slightly curved.         -   Fruit stem.—Attachment — Variable from vertical to oblique             relative to the fruit axis.         -   Fruit stem.—Color — Brown (Fan 4, sheet 177-C); and             occasionally an area of green may be present (Fan 3, sheet             153-B).         -   Fruit stem.—Surface — Glabrous, although occasionally a few             scattered hairs can be present.         -   Stem cavity.—Form — Irregular and ranging roughly from oval             to roughly globose.         -   Stem cavity.—Width — About 11 mm. to about 18 mm.         -   Stem cavity.—Depth — About 4 mm. to about 7 mm. The stem             cavity also displays some knobbing and ridging. The stem             cavity shoulders are usually rounded.         -   Fruit basin.—Form — Frequently globose, although             occasionally it may be somewhat irregular.         -   Fruit basin.—Diameter — About 20 mm. to about 25 mm.         -   Fruit basin.—Depth — About 4 mm. to about 7 mm.         -   Fruit basin.—Shape — The basin shoulders are broad and             rounded, and the basin sides are variable from relatively             smooth to moderately undulate.         -   Calyx lobes.—Generally — Persistent and can be either             upright or reflexed in appearance. The calyx lobes are most             frequently separated at the base.         -   Calyx opening.—Form — Usually open, but at times can be             partially closed.         -   Calyx tubes.—Shape — Funnel-shaped and medium in length with             the remnants of the flower styles present within. Remnants             of the flower stamen are normally always present and are             typically located in a marginal position.         -   Core lines—Generally — Present, distinct and meeting at the             calyx opening.         -   Fruit core.—Position — Distant relative to the stem end of             the fruit.         -   Core.—Size — Relatively small in relation to the overall             size of the fruit.         -   Fruit carpels.—Numbers — 5.         -   Fruit carpels.—Form — Frequently closed, although at times             slightly opened carpels can be present.         -   Fruit carpels.—Surface texture — Inner walls of the carpels             are smooth.         -   Seeds.—Numbers — Variable from 0 to 7. With full             pollination, the fruit of the present variety has the             potential of producing 10 seeds. Fruit which have no seeds             appear to have been set by parthenocarpy.         -   Seeds.—Shape — Plump. Although in some carpels, only a             shriveled seed coat may be present.         -   Seeds.—Shape — Ovate in form, with an acute tip.         -   Seeds.—Length — About 9 mm. to about 10 mm.         -   Seeds.—Width — About 5 mm. to about 6 mm.         -   Seeds.—Thickness — Variable from about 3.5 mm. to 4 mm.         -   Seeds.—Color — At harvest time the seeds are light brown             (Fan 4, sheet 165-D).         -   Seeds.—Color — After the fruit has softened, the seeds are a             darker brown color (Fan 4, sheet 165-B).         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Average for the species.         -   Fruit skin.—Surface texture — Glabrous.         -   Fruit skin adherence.—The skin adheres to the fruit flesh             even at full, soft, ripe maturity.         -   Fruit skin flavor.—Appears neutral at full commercial             maturity.         -   Fruit Skin color.—The present variety has a red blush             involving from about 85% to about 100% of the fruit surface.         -   Bloom.—A medium waxy bloom is present, and typically covers             the entire fruit surface.         -   Fruit blush color.—Without removal of the blush, the fruit             has a slightly dull purple-red color with some overtones of             grey (Fan 4, sheet 182-A).         -   Fruit blush color.—With the bloom removed, the fruit has a             bright and glossy purple-red color (Fan 4, sheet 185-A).         -   Fruit blush color.—After the fruit has ripened, the fruit             takes on a more bright red color. This bright red color in             the darker areas is seen at (Fan 1, sheet 42-A), and in the             lighter areas has a color of (Fan 1, 42-B).         -   Ground color.—Present and ranging from 0% to about 15% of             the fruit surface. At full commercial maturity, the ground             color is yellow-green (Fan 3, sheet 150-A).         -   Ground color.—After ripening — The fruit changes to a             yellow-gold color (Fan 1, sheet 11-B). Occasionally, a brown             russet color can also be detected on some fruit near the             stem end. This russet color is a medium brown (Fan 4, 177-C)             at commercial maturity and lightens to a light brown (Fan 4,             sheet 165-B) after the fruit has ripened.         -   Fruit lenticels.—Numerous, small and inconspicuous lenticels             are typically present over the entire fruit surface area.         -   Fruit lenticels.—Surface shape — Roughly globose in form and             having a dimension of about 0.5 mm. in diameter and a grey             color (Fan 4, sheet 197-B). Lenticels on more ripened fruit             are more conspicuous, especially over the yellow areas of             ground color, if present, on the fruit. Lenticels appearing             on yellow ground color surfaces appear with areolar dots of             red (Fan 1, sheet 42-C). This surrounds the respective             lenticels.         -   Fruit flesh.—Color — White throughout (Fan 34, sheet 155-B).         -   Flesh fibers.—Numbers — A few can occasionally be present,             and these are more cream colored (Fan 4, sheet 158-C)             relative to the flesh itself.         -   Flesh texture.—After ripened fruit has a fine-texture, which             is considered smooth, buttery and very juicy. Only a few             stone cells are present in the flesh. Those stone cells             which are located are typically found in the core, and core             line areas.         -   Fruit flavor.—Considered very good for the species. The             flavor is sweet and mild but with a pleasant fruitiness. The             fruit of the present variety appears to be less acidic than             the fruit produced by the Bartlett pear tree (unpatented).         -   Fruit aroma.—Generally speaking, the aroma is distinct and             somewhat fruity and pleasant.         -   Fruit storage.—The present variety hangs well on the tree.             Storage characteristics of this variety have not been fully             tested for extended periods of time, but early indications             are that it is at least equal in storage ability to either             its parents. The fruit ripens uniformly after harvest.         -   Resistance to insects and diseases.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or             resistance to any known plant and/or fruit diseases other             than those which are common to the Bartlett pear tree             varieties.

Although the new variety of pear tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Phoenix, Oreg., it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes and growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticulture management are to be expected. The foregoing description does not constitute a commercial warranty. Consequently, this disclosure may not be relied upon that the present variety, when grown, will display each of the characteristics as provided for and described in the present application. Therefore, the foregoing description may not be relied upon to support claims of breach of warranty or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose which is directed to the present variety. 

1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree substantially as illustrated and described and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored red pear which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately after 18 September under the ecological conditions prevailing in Phoenix, Oreg. 